Volunteers Can Help With 1985 Tax Returns

November 21, 1985|By Nick Martucci

People who have a flair for arithmetic and wish to help others file 1985 income tax returns, may become a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance volunteer, a program sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service. The program is not in conflict with, nor does it supplant the Tax Counseling for the Elderly, dubbed the AARP Tax Aid Program and sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons.

The IRS will train volunteers to assist in the preparation of forms 1040EZ, 1040A and the basic 1040, particularly for lower-income, handicapped, non- English-speaking and elderly taxpayers who do not have access to TCE aid. VITA volunteers can offer the service at a convenient place -- neighborhood or community centers, churches or shopping centers. Depending upon how many volunteers band together, such groups may have site managers, publicity managers and counselors. College students enrolled in business management and accounting, members of civic, professional, church or military groups and people affiliated with social action agencies are welcome to participate.

Free training will be offered by the IRS during the next two months. New volunteers undergo four or five days of training and experienced workers attend shorter refresher classes. The IRS also will conduct orientation sessions for non-counseling members of a group. An IRS taxpayer education coordinator will be available to help volunteers before, during and after training in setting up and achieving a successful community project. Contact the IRS VITA coordinator by phone at 1-800-424-1040 or address inquiries to P.O. Box 35045, Stop 620.1, Jacksonville, Fla., 32202; or Internal Revenue Service, 444 Seabreeze Blvd., Daytona Beach, Fla., 32801.

-- The ''Vial of Life'' program, endorsed by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, is being implemented by the Deltona B'nai B'rith Sunshine Lodge 322, under the leadership of Mickey Becker. The parent organization was founded in New York City in 1843 to institute and administer programs designed to promote the social, educational and cultural betterment of Jews and the public at large.

Lodge members have been distributing a packet over the past several months in shopping centers containing a plastic vial, record form and instructions for documenting medical history of heart, diabetic, hemophyliac, epileptic or other disorders, allergies and current prescribed medictions. The record is placed in the vial and stored in the home refrigerator for easy access in an emergency.

The goals of administering first aid in an emergency are: to help the injured or sick person recover, or at least prevent the injury or illness from worsening, to provide reassurance to organize help and to make the person as comfortable as possible. Information in the packet will minimize risks in giving first aid. Documented medical history and knowledge that a person is allergic to certain drugs goes a long way in dictating the best kind of first aid treatment to give.

Lodge members will hand out out the free packet by alternating biweekly between Deltona's Providence Plaza at the Winn-Dixie entrance and Orange City's Four Townes Shopping Center at Publix.

-- A special drawing for the Deltona Blood Bank, part of the American Red Cross Blood Center at Daytona Beach, and promoted by the Trinity Assembly of God, netted 32 units. The Rev. Charles Evans, pastor, and the Rev. Michael Modica, associate pastor, were among the 32 donors.